The iPhone camera in iOS 8 will benefit from a new Time Lapse feature, adding to the existing panoramic and HDR functionality. Although the specifics are unknown, reports say time-lapse photos will end up in their own specific photo album. So if you've ever wanted to capture a flower going from seed to flower, you may be in luck. In addition, Apple is letting developers have greater access to the camera hardware, which could mean improved functionality in other forms.

Editing photos can be done with the new Photos app from Apple. The idea is to make it easy to improve your snaps with very little effort and expertise. Apple is also choosing to store all photos in the cloud, not locally on your device. You get 5GB of storage free. Larger storage options will start from US$1 a month.

Health and Healthkit

Healthkit is an API developers can use to keep track of any personal health history you have. The API will also make it possible for medical databases to communicate with your iPhone so, for instance, you can get a notification your blood test results have arrived.

This will tie in with the new Health app, which gives users an easy‑to‑read dashboard of their health and ﬁtness data.

This is useful if you regularly jump between an iPad, iPhone and Mac. Jump from one device to another and Handoff will remember what you were doing, letting you continue writing that email. All you have to do is press a small icon in the bottom corner of an iOS device and you can resume the task.

iPhone to Mac messaging

Ever wanted to send a text message to your Mac? In iOS 8 you will have the option, even if the phone you use is a non-iOS device.

Airdrop

Not a button that has a platoon of Apple employees parachuting down to your home. Airdrop allows you to drop a file into a certain folder and it will appear on all your iOS devices connected to a WiFi network.

Email

Deleting an email flag you have set can be done by swiping to the left, while a harder swipe can delete a message.

Notifications now allow you to take action without leaving the current app you are using. Instead, you will be able to reply to, say, a text message directly from the notification. It even works under the lock screen.

Mac phone calls

In addition to sending text messages to a desktop computer, iOS 8 will allow you to use your iPhone to relay calls to a Mac. Your Mac automatically acts as a microphone and speaker while your iPhone provides the caller ID.

Spotlight is Apple's notification center you can access from swiping downwards from the top of the screen. In iOS 8 you will see suggestions for apps and notifications you are currently missing out on. For instance, nearby places, latest news headlines and cinema opening times.

Extensions

Another developer-focused addition that could benefit everyone significantly. Apple has allowed extensions, which basically means developers can use the functionality or services of other apps. One demonstration of this involved an iPhone using Bing to translate text within the iOS browser.

iMessages

The latest iOS version will let you mute a conversation, in case you are getting bored of your present company. In addition, iOS 8 lets you share where you are with who you are conversing with, making it easier to find where your friends are. SnapChat-esque functionality lets you add a timer to a message so they disappear into the ether after a certain time.

WiFi phone calls

It looks as if iOS 8 opens the door to making calls over WiFi, like you can with Facetime. This would save you using up minutes. It could, however, depend on the networks whether it's implemented or not.

Braille keyboard

Apparently iOS 8 will have a Braille keyboard that works with a "direct six dot input". If true, this could make life a lot easier for blind iOS users.

Keyboards that learn your writing style are nothing new. But a keyboard that learns how you write to different people is. Always more formal with your boss? The Apple keyboard will adjust the predictive words you can choose from accordingly. It even learns the nature of a message so it can learn the language you use when arranging a dinner date.

Siri

Siri is somewhat limited in its use because you need to activate it using your hand. In iOS 8 Siri is always listening so you can activate it by saying "Hey Siri" instead of pressing the home button. A useful feature if you spend a lot of time driving.

Metal 3D engine

Apple's iOS 8 adds a new 3D graphics engine that is meant to be far superior to the last. It's supposedly ten times time better, in fact, although how this translates to real-world performance is unknown. All you need to know is games could have the potential to look even better.

Touch ID lets you access your iPhone using your finger but little else. In iOS 8 it will give you the chance to unlock apps in the same manner, whether that's accessing Facebook or using a banking app.

iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive, an extension of Apple's cloud storage platform, enables users to work on any type of document on the device of their choosing (providing its an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC).

So, editing your presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, or images on one device will see the changes automatically appear across the board.

Apple Pay

Mobile wallet service Apple Pay is among the centrepieces of iOS, but this technology will be limited to the forthcoming iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Making use of the new handsets' NFC capabilities, the service enables users to carry out one-touch payments on the high street. It will be available in the US at launch, but reports suggest that it will not be coming to the UK until next year.

When can I download it, and which devices are compatible?

UK users will be able to download iOS 8 from 6pm on Wednesday, September 17 for the iPhone 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, iPod Touch fifth generation, iPad 2, iPad with Retina Display, iPad Air, iPad Mini and iPad Mini with Retina Display. US customers on the West Coast will be able to download from 10am today (1pm for those on the East Coast).